Doucette's struggles and dreams will resonate with teenage girls who are trying to find their place in the world., Layered, elegantly written, and filled with unexpected twists and turns, The Swan Maiden soars with grace and power., Inspired by French fairy tales, Tomlinson skillfully weaves a satisfying and enchanting tale that flows quickly and immerses readers in a charming, rustic setting., 'Layered, elegantly written, and filled with unexpected twists and turns, The Swan Maiden soars with grace and power.' - Booklist, Starred Review 'Inspired by French fairy tales, Tomlinson skillfully weaves a satisfying and enchanting tale that flows quickly and immerses readers in a charming, rustic setting.' - School Library Journal 'This novel has a light and enchanting quality. Doucette's struggles and dreams will resonate with teenage girls who are trying to find their place in the world.'-Voice of Youth Advocates, This novel has a light and enchanting quality. (Apr.'Layered, elegantly written, and filled with unexpected twists and turns,The Swan Maidensoars with grace and power.'-Booklist, Starred Review 'Inspired by French fairy tales, Tomlinson skillfully weaves a satisfying and enchanting tale that flows quickly and immerses readers in a charming, rustic setting.'-School Library Journal 'This novel has a light and enchanting quality. ) does not oversimplify in this well-told tale human discord and the harmony of nature are entwined with simplicity and elegance as the girls travel, physically and emotionally, to places they had never imagined.

The awe over Diribani’s gift from people both humble and mighty is predictable, but it’s refreshing to see the matter-of-fact welcome that Tana’s snakes receive from the townspeople.

The girls’ mother quickly sends Tana to the well, too, but she returns with an even stranger gift of snakes, frogs, and toads. But these dreams are swept out of reach when Diribani comes back from the local well bringing not water but a gift from the snake goddess, Naghali-gems and flowers that drop from her lips when she speaks. He was a jewel merchant, and Tana hopes to follow in his footsteps. Stepsisters Diribani, 15, and Tana, 16, are struggling to keep their household together after their father’s murder. Set in a lightly fictionalized India, Tomlinson’s retelling of the Perrault fairy tale gains new resonance in a culture where reptiles are honored.

The Swan Maiden by Heather Tomlinson